Feeder Tree, April 2019
 IMG_20190405_153908b.jpgThese are the pieces that remained of the old feeder tree frame after I disassembled them. We had inserted some branches trimmed from trees in the yard to provide vertical support for the trumpet vine. |
 IMG_20190405_153927_1b.jpgI did not document the intermediate steps to get to this point. I used four 4" x 4" x 10' treated posts for the vertical supports and 2" x 4" treated boards for the horizontal and diagonal supports, fastening them all together with 3-1/2" exterior screws. I dug 1.5' holes for the vertical supports and packed the dirt back around them. I left space above the top horizontal supports to attach feeder hangers; the first hanger is in place in this photo. |
 IMG_20190405_170529b.jpgI wrapped the horizontal supports and hangers around the vertical supports in an offset pattern, so I could attach each to the next, as well as to the vertical beams, for added strength. Here, I've added the last 3 hangers and hung feeders off them. I trimmed the trumpet vine before starting construction, but without a crane, there was no way to put the frame together beforehand and drop it over the vine. So, I measured distances between holes carefully and put sides of the frame together, put them in the ground and then attached them to each other. |
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